With the current weather conditions primed for more mosquitoes to breed in or around properties and construction sites due to stagnated water, the Pune Municipal Corporation is stepping up efforts to curb mosquito-borne illnesses.
The civic body will slap a Rs 1,000 fine on those failing to check mosquito breeding in around their properties and, more importantly, the PMC also plans to file a criminal case against repeat offenders.u00a0
ADVERTISEMENT
The proposal to levy fines will be put before the General Body meeting for approval within the coming weeks, said a civic official. Last year, the PMC had issued notices to 196 under-construction building sites and had initiated action against 34 builders.
“Considering the diseases caused by mosquitoes last monsoons, this year we have planned to file criminal cases against people responsible for breeding spots in their residential and commercial premises.
However, according to the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation Act 1949 (BPMC), we cannot file a case directly on people responsible for it, hence we will levy a fine against citizens who do not follow civic guidelines to prevent the mosquito menace.
And if they are found violating the diktat again, then we will file criminal cases against them,” said Vaishali Jadhav, head of the PMC’s vector-borne diseases control cell.
“We wanted to file criminal cases directly against builders responsible for water accumulation at their construction sites and thereby causing breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads the dengue fever virus. But according to the law , this is not possible.
Presently, the mater is pending with the women and child welfare department and then as per the procedure, it will put forward at the General body meeting. After it is approved, it would be implemented,” said Somnath Pardeshi, acting Medial Officer of Health.
Commenting on the issue, another official from the Health department said “The Rs 1,000 fine is meagre amount for builders. In order to make them realise the severity of the problem, there is a need to file criminal cases against them. Most of the breeding spots are at construction sites. ”
u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
